Photo by NOIR Bham
NOIR CAFÉ OPENS INSIDE HOOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY WITH COFFEE, BRUNCH , AND PASTRIES
The Hoover Public Library is turning a new page with the addition of NOIR Café, a cozy new spot for coffee, conversation, and a good book. The luxury café is a collab between Pauline’s Fine Cakes and Desserts and LaFleur Coffee Boutique and boasts specialty coffees, pastries, and brunch options like soups, sandwiches, and salads. It’s nestled inside the library (200 Municipal Dr. Hoover) and it’s open Wednesday through Sunday. Be sure to check their page for hours. Their goal at NOIR is to not just be a coffee shop, but become “a place to gather, a place to connect, [and] a place to enjoy life,” they state in a social media post. So grab a book with your free library card and settle in for some scrumptious dining. See their latest creations by following them on Instagram @noirbham.
Photo by Magnific
TWO NEW PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS APPROVED FOR BIRMINGHAM, INCLUDING ALABAMA’S FIRST BILINGUAL SCHOOL The Alabama Public Charter School Commission (APCSC) has approved four new public charter schools across the state, and two of them are coming to Birmingham. xS.T.R.E.A.M. Minds Academy will focus on preparing students for future careers through Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math (S.T.R.E.A.M.). According to the school’s website, its mission is to “reimagine the K–8 learning experience for all learners through S.T.R.E.A.M. exploration, personalized learning and social- emotional growth.”While the school’s location has not yet been announced, it will be led by Dr. Melissa Capehart and is expected to open in fall 2028, initially serving students in Kindergarten through third grade. The academy plans to add one grade level each year until it reaches K–8. Florecer Community School is also slated to open in fall 2028 and will become Alabama’s first bilingual public charter school. The school will begin by serving students in grades K–2 before expanding to K–8. Its mission is to provide a dual-language immersion education that fosters academic excellence, multilingualism, and cultural understanding. According to its website, Florecer aims to prepare students to become “multilingual, multiliterate, high-achieving changemakers” while cultivating an inclusive international community.
Photo by Dutch Bros Coffee
ALABAMA’S FIRST DUTCH BROS COFFEE IS NOW OPEN IN ALABASTER Alabaster has been brewing up some exciting things, including a new Dutch Bros Coffee! Located at 544 1st St. N., this drive-through coffee stand offers a little bit of everything. Plus, this location is the first Dutch Bros in the state. From protein or blended coffees and chai lattes to shakes and energy refreshers, this one-stop- shop is sure to fuel you whatever the occasion. Discover what the buzz is all about—they’re open every day from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays they’re open late until 11 p.m.
The commission also approved TIME Leadership Academy in Dothan and C.A. Fredd Jr. Career and Technical Academy near Tuscaloosa.
To learn more or to pre-enroll for the Birmingham schools, visit xstreammindsacademy.org, learnatflorecer.org, or alchartercommission.com.
Call ahead at (877) 899-2767 or visit dutchbros.com.
BIRMINGHAMPARENT.COM | AUGUST 2026 11
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